Shree Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Location : Opposite Red Fort, Old Delhi
Built In : 1658 A. D.
Dedicated To : The 23rd Tirthankara, Parashvanath Swami

Digambara Jain temple dates back to the time of Aurangzeb's reign and is famous as Delhi's oldest temple. It is situated right opposite the Red Fort, at the entrance of the main road. It was built in 1658 AD, but modifications and additions are going on ever since, and it remains a haven of tranquility amidst the noisy and chaotic main street of Chandni Chowk.

The Architecture : Although the temple is not as ornate as the fine temples in Gujarat and Rajasthan, it does boast detailed carvings, and decorative paintwork in the antechambers surrounding the main shrine to Parshvanath, the Twenty-Third Tirthankara. One has to remove your one's shoes, and hand them over with one's bags and all leather articles at the entrance before getting inside the temple.

The Bird's Charity Hospital : The temple premises house a unique medical center for birds, the Birds' Charity Hospital. Free treatment is given here, which draws inspiration from the message of 'Live and let Live' given by Lord Mahavir, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of the Jains.

It serves as a rescue sanctuary for partridges, caught and wounded by fowlers and bought in bulk by Jain merchants who bring them here to recover, and there are separate wards for pigeons, parrots, sparrows and domestic fowl. Squirrels, who will not hurt the birds, are also treated here, but birds of prey are seen on a strictly outpatient basis, as they are not vegetarian.

Most of the cages are home to pigeons with a disease that brings on paralysis. As their condition improves they are moved to larger cages closer to the roof, and eventually released.

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Photo :  Pranchin Shree Agarwal Digamber Jain Panchyat
Publication "Jhalak Ek Nazer Mai"
2515, Dharampura, Dariba Kalan, Chandni Chowk, Delhi - 110006, Tele : 23280942
Courtesy : Shri Chakresh Jain

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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
R190205